Studies on the behaviour of the honey‐bee mite, Varroa jacobsoni O., in a temperature gradient

Abstract

The behaviour of Varroa jacobsoni mites, with respect to orientation and site of their preferred temperature range, was studied as a function of age with the help of a temperature gradient apparatus. Groups of 20–30 animals were introduced into various temperatures upon a linear gradient ranging from 16–43 °C. It was determined that the range of preference for winter mites lay between 33.6–36.6 °C while that for the young summer mites lay between 31.8–37.2 °C. Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen über die Temperaturabbängigkeit des Verhaltens der Honigbienen‐Milbe Varroa jacobsoni O. In einem Temperaturgradienten wurde das Orientierungsverhalten von Varroa jacobsoni und die Lage des Präferenzbereiches in Abhängigkeit vom Alter untersucht. Gruppen von 20–30 Tieren wurden in die verschiedenen Temperaturbereiche des linearen Gradienten von 16–43 °C eingesetzt. Dabei wurde ermittelt, daß der Präferenzbereich der Wintermilben zwischen 33,6 und 36,6 °C lag, der der jungen Sommermilben dagegen zwischen 31,8 und 37,3 °C.

Patterns in Varroa destructor depend on bee host abundance, availability of natural resources, and climate in Mediterranean apiaries

“…Considering ambient climate, the finding that Varroa abundance increased as temperatures decreased (Hypothesis 5) in the first part of the year was consistent with previous suggestions that mites prefer lower temperatures, both within the hive and external to the hive, dependent on seasons and climatic regions (Le Conte & Arnold, 1987, 1988Patzold & Ritter, 1989;Moretto et al, 1991;Rosenkranz & Engels, 1994;Bruce et al, 1997;Kraus & Velthuis, 1997;Harris et al, 2003). The mechanisms for this preference are poorly understood but may be linked to the fact that lower brood cell temperature implies an increase in the duration of the post-capping period of worker brood development of the host and, therefore, the reproduction of mites could increase (Rosenkranz & Engels, 1994).…”

“…2 Linked to 1, we expect sampled Varroa abundance to be at low levels after a colony loss as the colony is replaced with other bees and some months will be required for bees to increase the available brood and for Varroa to invade and/or re-establish. 5 Although the mechanisms are poorly understood, a preference for lower temperatures by Varroa mites, measured both within the hive and external to the hive (Le Conte & Arnold, 1987, 1988Patzold & Ritter, 1989;Moretto et al, 1991;Rosenkranz & Engels, 1994) has been observed in empirical studies. 3 If hives are treated correctly with anti-varroa products, then the Varroa population will be reduced.…”

“…Thus, hives with a lower proportion of natural resources in surrounding landscapes will have a higher average abundance of Varroa and be more likely to suffer colony loss. 5 Although the mechanisms are poorly understood, a preference for lower temperatures by Varroa mites, measured both within the hive and external to the hive (Le Conte & Arnold, 1987, 1988Patzold & Ritter, 1989;Moretto et al, 1991;Rosenkranz & Engels, 1994) has been observed in empirical studies. We hypothesise that if the ambient temperature decreases, then the abundance of Varroa will increase, and colony loss is more likely to occur.…”

Biology and control of Varroa destructor

“…This may also be true for sensitivity to temperature. Depending on the test system Varroa mites prefer temperatures between 26 and 33°C (Le Arnold, 1987, 1988;Pätzold and Ritter, 1989;Rosenkranz, 1988), which are significantly lower than the normal temperature in the brood nest of approximately 34.5-35°C (Becher and Moritz, 2009;Rosenkranz and Engels, 1994). Varroa mites are able to discriminate temperature differences of about 1°C (Le Conte and Arnold, 1987).…”

Ecology of Varroa destructor, the Major Ectoparasite of the Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

“…The varroa mite lives at a temperature corresponding to that of the honey bee nest, which is approximately 34-35 • C. Laboratory bioassays indicated that V. destructor shows a clear preference for temperatures of approximately 32 • C ± 2.9 • C (60) and that temperature preferences differ between winter and young summer mites (93). The mite can discriminate differences in temperature as low as approximately 1 • C (59).…”